My 26T Coupe build thread

[roadster32]

Appreciate the comments Dave, thanks.

Unfortunately over here also there ae many idiots who can't wait to find fault with my cars and work, I'm a big supporter of the UK NSRA and I spend a lot of time giving advice and helping people because i like doing it, when i started rodding in the early 70's there was nobody to ask and obviously no internet so it was tough and we made mistakes, these days its fairly easy to build a rod as there a multitude of forums and magazines etc to help.

My point is that the idiots that slag me off behind my back think i'm being big headed and self promoting myself, they couldn't be more wrong, I'm lucky to have full order books for at least 2 years so don't need the extra work i would get from self promotion.
I think they mistake my help and advice when its really about passion for the hobby, by the way most of these people i've never met or wish too.

At a reasonable labor rate, your mirrors would cost about $2,000.00 a pair---I can understand that!!! Doubt the guy would want to pay that for them. The hours really mount up when you design and build. Takes dedication to wrap up that kind of time into a Hot Rod, but it sure is worth it. Then folks just have to pick on you cuz you're so slow at building a car--Don't suppose that same thing happens on your side of the pond????

I am really enjoying your build thread!!! Really great to watch someone willing to put in all the necessary time to assure the fit, finish, and detail on the car is first rate all the way through the build and not just a bunch of bolt ons that may or may not fit the theme of the project!!! Thanks for letting us all share in your build!!!

[roadster32]

Ken coming from a fellow builder i take that as a big compliment, thank you.

I must look you up next time we are in SoCal, I think we may get along

I guess living in Orange you know my old mate John Reid ???

Also do you know Jimmy White, he does great work and we became friends a few years ago when he showed me around his shop.

Don gave me the link to your thread, some how I missed this. Great workmanship! I really appreciate thinking outside the box. I always think there is another way to do everything and you sure are proving that!
Ken

[roadster32]

Don i charge £20 per hour, thats $30 per hour

We talk all the time while building our own stuff about how we are amazed that professionals, like you are Steve, can charge enough to turn a profit, and yet not so much that a customer won't pay for it. We all know that sometimes the smallest bracket will take 5 hours to build, and even at $ 40 an hour (which I bet is low in this business), would a customer pay $ 200 for that part?

When that Jimmy Shine show was on TV he made a statement I will never forget. He was telling an apprentice builder, who was working very hard to produce some perfect bracket, "You have to decide what parts will be a 10 and what parts will be ok at a 2."

Every so often, like at a car show, someone will approach us and ask if we could build them a car. We always have to laugh it off saying " Even if we paid ourselves a dollar an hour, I don't think you would want to pay the bill!" My hat is off to you guys who can do it and still make a living.

BTW, that square hole thing is a perfect example of how a little thinking and the most common parts can turn out as something people are in awe of. Nice job.

Don

[Ken Thurm]

Ken coming from a fellow builder i take that as a big compliment, thank you.

I must look you up next time we are in SoCal, I think we may get along

I guess living in Orange you know my old mate John Reid ???

Also do you know Jimmy White, he does great work and we became friends a few years ago when he showed me around his shop.

Yes, I have done a lot of business with John and will be doing more with my new project.
I haven't met Jimmy White, I know of him. His shop was a few doors down from a friend of mine but I never went there, I'm shy
Please do give me a call the next time you are here. Would enjoy meeting you.
Ken

[Whiplash23T]

Heck Steve you are just a cheap whore at 20 pounds (my key board doesn't have the pound thingy either). I would be happy paying you more like 50 pounds per hour for your workmanship and skill level. Most of the pro builders down here charge between $50.00 and $100.00 per hour for there work and most have a waiting list a year long or more.
I also believe if one can not do the a job correctly and one has to pay someone to do it,be prepared to pay for the job to be done once and to a satisfactory standard by both parties.

[1gary]

For a car that is already done,I am thinking you don't want to hear what I am about to post,but what the heck.No matter what rear end you choose,make very sure you don't choose a rear end ratio that would over rev your engine combo.

Given what you say you want to do,I think if you had a Ford 9' built for your rod,it would be the easiest to have both rear end gear ratios.One center carrier spooled for the strip and another posti for the street.Of course the one for the strip would be geared for that and the one for the street for highway cruising.They are very easy to swap and certainly are a stronger rear end than the 10 bolt.

[roadster32]

Jimmys a real friendly guy Ken, I'm sure you will like him and his work.

Yes, I have done a lot of business with John and will be doing more with my new project.
I haven't met Jimmy White, I know of him. His shop was a few doors down from a friend of mine but I never went there, I'm shy
Please do give me a call the next time you are here. Would enjoy meeting you.
Ken

[roadster32]

Your probably right Whip but i'm content with what i get.

Heck Steve you are just a cheap whore at 20 pounds (my key board doesn't have the pound thingy either). I would be happy paying you more like 50 pounds per hour for your workmanship and skill level. Most of the pro builders down here charge between $50.00 and $100.00 per hour for there work and most have a waiting list a year long or more.
I also believe if one can not do the a job correctly and one has to pay someone to do it,be prepared to pay for the job to be done once and to a satisfactory standard by both parties.

[roadster32]

Not quite sure what you mean Gary ??? I'm not using a 10 bolt, I already have a 9" built and ready for this car

For a car that is already done,I am thinking you don't want to hear what I am about to post,but what the heck.No matter what rear end you choose,make very sure you don't choose a rear end ratio that would over rev your engine combo.

Given what you say you want to do,I think if you had a Ford 9' built for your rod,it would be the easiest to have both rear end gear ratios.One center carrier spooled for the strip and another posti for the street.Of course the one for the strip would be geared for that and the one for the street for highway cruising.They are very easy to swap and certainly are a stronger rear end than the 10 bolt.

[Ken Thurm]

I will stop by and say hello next week.
Ken

[Itoldyouso]

Jimmy has posted on Dan's thread on the HAMB, and has always been very complimentary and down to earth. Seems like a super nice guy and he sure builds a great hot rod.

Ken, I know you will enjoy meeting Steve and Sue. Just don't take them to an English Pub for lunch.

Don

[Ken Thurm]

Steve,
I went by Jimmy White's shop on the way home. There wasn't anyone around and no name on the building, so you know if he has moved in the last 8 or 9 months?
Ken

[roadster32]

Don nobody would take english people to an english pub would they ???

Jimmy has posted on Dan's thread on the HAMB, and has always been very complimentary and down to earth. Seems like a super nice guy and he sure builds a great hot rod.

Ken, I know you will enjoy meeting Steve and Sue. Just don't take them to an English Pub for lunch.

Don

[roadster32]

I havn't spoke to him in a while Ken, i know last time i was there he as struggling with work, i do hope things are ok for him.

Steve,
I went by Jimmy White's shop on the way home. There wasn't anyone around and no name on the building, so you know if he has moved in the last 8 or 9 months?
Ken

[roadster32]

While i had the doors on the bench i though i might as well look for garnish moulding as my body had none with it.

Did a bit of digging around and it turned out that there was a restorer guy doing a 27T coupe only 3 miles from my house, result

He kindly came over with his garnish's but as my body is grp it was a no go, it meant a lot of tweaking and as my car is hopefully gonna look like a 60's car i decided to make some custom mouldings, I'm sure my new friends 27T will be handy for reference though





First job was to key up the area that i had straightened at the top of the door and skim with some filler, It didn't need much and the Rage filler i use is so easy to rub down, its excellent stuff.




Then i cut some 6mm x 25mm stainless flat bar to the lengths needed, The bottom bar now sits at a slight angle compared to the stock flat, I think it looks better. Had to notch each end so it sat flush with the window opening so it will look tidy when i add a rubber finisher (I hate it when you can see the inside of the door through the window slot, looks untidy)

All the edges were radiused to look rolled.










The 4 parts were then attached to the door with countersunk screws ready for tack welding, had to be careful with the tacks as the GRP can catch light pretty easily

All the parts were rough polished before so to make the final polish easier.

the stainless i had wasn't the best so a fair bit of sanding was needed









Small tacks were done to keep it all together then it was clamped down to my welding bench for finish welding.

While on the bench clamped flat i decided to add rounded corners at the top of the moulding, I think it looks better.







Heres the finished job after the welds were polished out, they still need a bit more polishing work but i'm pretty pleased how they came out





















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